Arts Administration in the Fourth Industrial Revolution Era

The current era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) is characterized by advanced smart technologies such as artificial intelligence, augmented reality, virtual reality, and big data—all of which profoundly affect individuals and industries. Many arts administrators grapple with questions about if and how to integrate such newer technologies in their work, but little research has addressed such concerns. In this study I explore the lived experiences of nine arts administrators—six who used or and three who did not use 4IR technologies—in their work to connect audiences with the arts. Using a phenomenological approach, I conducted in-depth, semi-structured interviews and document analysis to gain a holistic understanding of perceptions and experiences related to 4IR technology use. Qualitative data analysis revealed key factors influencing the decisions of arts administrators, such as perceived advantages and disadvantages and requirements for implementation. The results provide knowledge that may help arts administrators who wish to apply 4IR technologies to engage the public, and, in addition, open the door to further research on the use of 4IR technologies in the arts administration field.